Recording and computing machine



Sept. 6, 1949. E. F. 'rHlERFi-:LDER

RECORDING AND COMPUTING MACHINE e sheets-sheet 1- Filed Aug. '30, 1944 INVENTOR lEMIL F. THIERFELDER BY L ATTORNEY Sept. 6, 1949. E. F. THIERFELDER A2,430,981

I RECORDING AND COMPUTING MACHINE Filed. Aug. so, ,1944 I s sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR 2B 27 2s EMIL F. THIERFEuDER BY j/LLLL;

AT T ORNEY Sept 6, 1949. E. F. 'rHlRr-ELDER 2,480,981

RECORDING AND COMPUTING MACHINE Filed Aug. so, l194.4 e sheets-sheet 3 'FIGB 4e FIGS mvENToR EMIL F. TH IERFELDER JALLZLZ ATTORN EY Sept 6, 1949. E. F. THIERFELDER ZASOS RECORDING AND COMPUTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 30, 1344 6 Sheets-Sheet, 4

'FGQ FIGIO INVENTOR4 EMIL E HsRFELm- R A TTORNEY Sept 5, 1949. E. F. THlr-:RFELDER 2,480,981

RECORDING AND COMPUTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 50, 1944 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR EMIL. F. THI ERI-ELDER l Y (PU/m;

ATTO RNEY Sept. 6, 1949. E. F. THix-:RFELDER RECORDING NND COMPUTING NACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Aug. 30, 1944 INVENTOR EMIL. F". THIERFELDER il ,JJ-

ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 6, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Emil F. Thierfelder, Ilion, N. Y., assigner to Remington Rand Inc., Buffalo, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application August 30, 1944, Serial N0. 551,931

20 Claims. 1

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in computing and recording machines and has particular reference to improvements in devices thereon for sensing the value-positions of the wheels of a totalizer especially when it is desired to print totals automatically.

The main object of the invention is to provide a simple, eiiicient, and economical sensing device in which the sensing can take place without the use of the conventional sensing iing'ers.

A further object is to permit sensing of the numerical orders of a totalizer in succession without mechanical or electrical contact between the totalizer orders and the sensing device except just at the time of sensing whereby wear and tear on the parts is avoided, faulty action due to failure of proper Contact is avoided and retardation of the carriage due to frictional contact between the parts during ordinary movement of the carriage to and fro is eliminated.

A still further Objectis to provide a sensing device in which a much smaller sensing disk may be employed than now in use thereby avoiding a certain amount of overthrow which is sometimes responsible for a tendency to lock up the actuator mechanism. Smaller disks are also of advantage with respect to' better visibility of the numerical dials of the accumulator.

Further and more specific objects, features, and advantages will more clearly appear from a considerati-on of the specification hereinafter especially when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which form part of the specification and which illustrate a present preferred form which the invention may assume'.

In its more general aspects, the invention includes a sensing head on which are disposed a plurality of aprojectable sensing members suitably connected in the `circuit of the machine. These members are actuated each time the carriage is escaped to a new position and are moved forward simultaneously and sense or contact with the surface of a settable element such as a disk rotatably associated with the numeral wheel, the value of which is to be printed, and which wheel has just been moved to position to print such value. The disk associated with each wheel may have c0ntacts thereon positioned in accordance with the setting of the wheel and each time the sensing elements are projected one or more vof. them engage a contact, and complete a circuit through the totalizer which is grounded. vIn one form, the projectable members are moved by association with a plurality of reed-like armatures of a magnet -to'- which armatures the projectable members are respectively connected. The magnet is in a circuit which is closed as each order of the totalizer reaches the sensing position but is opened as the carriage escapes from said position More -particularly in one form the settable elements on the totalizer which are contacted by the projectable elements on the sensing head are each provided preferably with a pair of contacts oppositely disposed on the periphery of the settable element. One of these contacts is adapted to contact with one projectable element at a time and the other is adapted to contact with two pro-A ,iectable elements at a time for reasons which will be apparent hereinafter. The settable disks are geared to rotate 360 degrees for each completo rotation of the numeral wheel to which it is connected.

Still more particularly the projectable elements on the sensing head are arranged preferably in a radial manner to advance and contact the circular periphery of each disk as it is presented for sensing. ThereA is a series of projectable elements. Alternate elements are connected through normal contacts on a relay to a series of numeral magnets, and intervening elements are connected to the relay itself. When the relay is energized it changes its contacts to connect another series of numeral magnets in circuit. When the disk has been rotated and that contact is in the sensing zone, which contact engages only one projectable elem-ent at a time, it engages the alternate series of elements which are directly connected normally to the given series of numeralmagnets such as 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4. When the diskis rotated and that contact is in the sensing zone, which contact engages two projectable elements at a time, this so-called double Contact will therefore successively engage the elements as follows: O`-re`lay, l-relay, 2-relay, 3-relay, and 4-relay. The energization of the relay simultaneously with contact with the 1 element will cause the relay to shift its'oontacts and connect the 5 numeral magnet with the element which normally is connected to the l numeral magnet. Similarly the 6, '7, 8, and 9 numeral magnets are placed in circuit as the double contact moves across the zone.

It is to be' noted that no circuits are made and no mechanical vcontacts are encountered as the carriage moves unless the main switch is closed and then only at the time that the carriage has moved to place a given order in position to be sensed, and this sensing is for a moment only, after' which the projectable sensing elements are withdrawn automatically. rihere'fore there is no mechanism and are no parts to retard the move- D ment of the carriage in either direction and no chance of failure of making contacts while parts are moving as in the machines in which sensing iingers are engaged at all times with lugs on the totalizer disks.

This invention -is an improvement of the type of sensing head and device shown in British Patent No. 559,8,80/41 and is adapted to be used in machines of that general type and employing the general type of circuits there shown. A machine of that type modified for use in accounting in terms of American money insteadA of English would naturally have simpler circuits although they would be generally and fundamentally similar. The circuits shown herein are drawn to s'how the fundamental circuits for printing numerals but certain associated circuits provided for other operations are not shown for the sake of simplicity.

Two preferred forms of the invention are illustrated in the drawings of which Fig. 1 is a vertical transverse cross section taken on the line I-l of Fig. 3, showing a settable disk in the Zero position;

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse cross section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 3, with the parts in the same position and showing details of the magnet and armature reed construction;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal cross section taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1 showing the manner of supporting the magnet and the projectable sensing elements;

Fig. 4 is a partial elevation of the front of the totalizer, showing the sensing disks;

Fig. 5 is a partial elevation of the face of the sensing head past which the wheels of the totalizer move;

Fig. 6 is a semi-diagrammatic view of a settable disk in the 2 position and in contact -with the 2 sensing element;

Fig. 7 is a similar view of the disk in the 8 position and in contact with the 3 element and the relay element associated therewith;

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view of a modied form of settable disk;

Fig. 9 is a sketch of the modified disk in the 2 position;

Fig. 10 is a similar view of the modied disk in the 8 position;

Fig. 11 is a diagram representative circuit involving the invention herein;

Fig. 12 is a partial elevation of a still further modication of the settable disk and the projectable elements; and

Fig. 13 is a diagram representative of a basic circuit modified to employ the form of device shown in Fig. 12. Y

In the operation of the standard Remington bookkeeping typewriter of the general type shown in the above mentioned British patent, it is known that as the operator ienters items on the sheet of a ledger, for instance, these are entered in the vertical totalizers and at the same time are sequentially entered in one or more cross totalizers so that at the end of the horizontal line of entries the total of the line entries are set up in the cross totalizer and may then be printed out of the same on to the sheet. This is done by tabulating the carriage to the Vtotal writing column and then passing the cross totalizer in front of a sensing head, step by step, so that the values in each order of the totalizer are presented for sensing and the order values printed on the sheet.

A totalizer of this type, embodying my improvef-v of a basic ments, is shown in the drawings and is numbered 2c. This has the usual number-dial wheel 2 I, an intermediate wheel 22, and the carrier wheel 23 respectively in mesh. The wheel 23 is engaged sequentially by the master -wheel (not shown) of the well known actuator (also not shown) as the totalizer is moved step by step into position to permit each carrier wheel to mesh with the master wheel in the manner described in the above mentioned patent. A disk 24 is shown preferably of insulating material and provided with a small pinion 25 meshing with the intermediate gear 22 above mentioned. A conducting plate 2t is fastened to the side of each disk 2li and is in contact with the shaft 21 on which the disk 2li is mounted. .Since the cross totalizer is preferably grounded these metallic contact plates which are connected to each settable disk of each order of the totalizer are connected to ground ior the reasons which will later be apparent.

The opposite ends of each plate 26 are bent over the periphery of the disk as at 28 and 29 to form peripheral contact elements, the element 29, in the form of the invention shown in Fig. 2, being twice as long circumierentially as the opposite contact element 28. The various -wheels just described together with the settable disks and shafts are mounted within the totalizer and suitably supported by the side plates B of the totalizer. The gearing ratio between the wheels mentioned is such that as the dial wheel 2i makes a complete revolution in being positioned to successively represent the numbers from 0 to 9, the disks 24 also make a full rotation so that settable disks 24 associated with the several dial wheels are thus set to represent the same values as those in the dial wheels. As Shown the disks are turned through degrees in being positioned to represent five different values and through another 180 degrees in being positioned to represent the remaining ve values thus requiring a full revolution in being set to represent the entire ten values from 0 to 9 inclusive. In the drawings, in Fig.'1 the settable disk is shown in the position for the sensing of the digit G registered in the associated numeral dial. It is clear that the disk in moving from one numeral position to the next one will move through an angle of 36 degrees. lt is also clear that when the contact element 23, shown in Fig. 1 in the zero position, has moved through ve steps, the contact element E9 of double width will then occupy the same position as is occupied by the contact element 28 in Fig. 1. The reason for the difference in the width of these i two contact elements will now be explained, and

it is understood that this particular relation is only used in the form shown in Fig. 1 since the same eiect can be obtained in another manner as illustrated in the modification of the sensing disk shown in Fig. 8.

As shown particularly in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a sensing head similar to that in the patent above mentioned is disposed on the frame of the machine in a fixed position and is provided with a casing comprising side plates 3l and arcuate cover plate 32. The plates are preferably secured to cross rods such as 33 which are normal in the Remington machine. An arcuate pole piece 34, as'shown in Fig. 2, has a curvature concentric with the curvature of the periphery of the settable disks 24 but is spaced therefrom a suitable distance so as to permit the disks 24 with the cross totalizer 2U to travel back and forth in front of the pole piece without any contact therebetween under normal circumstances. This pole piece is formed with parallel side plates 35 and 33 the rst of which is fastened to the left hand side plate 3l (Fig. 3), in any suitable manner, with an intervening strip of insulating material 31. The other plate 36 is connectedto the other side plate 3l' by means of an arcuate channel shaped insulating plate 38 which is used to support certain projectable sensing elements which will later be described. Connected tov this pole piece 34 and disposed in a horizontal plane, as seen in Fig. 2, is a core 39 around which is disposed an electromagnet coil 40. The rear end of the core 39 supports another pole piece 4l concentrically disposed with respect to the pole piece 34. This magnet coil 4G is adapted to be energized for a purpose later to be described and is connected into the circuit of the machine in a manner generally indicated in the basic general type of circuit shown in Fig. 1l.

When the magnet coil 4i! is energized, it creates a flux in the pole pieces and this flux tends to attract a series of armatures 42 which are connected to spring-like reed members 43 (see Figs. 2 and 3). These reeds 43 are fastened at one end to the insulated plate ring 31 and are disposed as shown at regular intervals around the periphery thereof. They extend from their anchored end across to a point adjacent the insuu lating arcuate bracket plate 32 with the armatures 42 dependent therefrom and lying relatively close to the pole piece 4|. The movable outer end of each reed 43 is adapted to bear against the upper dome shaped end 44.. of a metallic projectable element such as a rod 45 which is guided in suitable openings in fianges 48 and 4l of the plate 3,8 and is held in a normal position, shown in Fig. 3, by a spring 48 disposed between one face of flange 41 and the inner face of nut 49 on the rod 45. The attraction of the armature 42 toward the pole piece 4i when the magnet coil 4e is energized will press the outer end of the reed 43 against the end of the rod 45 and project the rod forward toward the totalizer settable disk 24. As will be apparent later this action takes place after the carriage has been stepped to place a given order over the master wheel of the actuator and the printing of the value in the particular order is about to take place. The plane of movement of the elements or rods 45 is the same as that of the master wheel of the actuator on the frame of the machine (not shown) and therefore when the rods are projected they will contact the periphery of a disk 2e in an order which is in operative position with respect to the actuator. Whichever one or more of the rods (being metallic) engage contacts on the periphery of the disk will make circuit connections as will be explained later. When the magnet coil 4l) is deenergized, the reeds will spring back to normal position and the rods 45 will be moved back to normal position by the springs 48.

Referring to Fig, 1 the settable disk shown is disposed in the so-cal1ed 0 5 position. As stated before, these disks are moved through an angle of degrees in moving from one numeral position to the next higher one. For example, in Fig. 6, which represents a disk in enlarged form, it is shown moved 72 degrees from the il position shown in Fig. l to the 2 position and the related projectable element is shown advanced into engagement with the contact plate 28 on the disk.

In Fig. 7 the same disk is shown advanced to the so-called 8 position with the contact plate 2S on the disk engaged by two adjacent rod elements 45 for circuit purposes to be described. In this position the disk has been moved 288 degrees from the original 0 position shown in Fig. 1.

From what has been thus far described as to the structure and operation and referring to Fig. i for purposes of illustration, it will be clear that as the disk 24 shown in the zero position moves at each step through an angle of 36 degrees from that step to the succeeding steps it will bring its contact element 28 successively in front of alternate proj ectable elements or rods numbered from 0 to 4 inclusive, as it advances through a travel of 180 degrees clockwise. Therefore in the first five positions of the disk it can make contact to establish a circuit relation between itself and the successive 0-4 rods 45. When the disk has reached a position 180 degrees removed from that shown in Fig. l it will be apparent that the double width contact element or plate 29 will then be in the position occupied by the contact 2B in Fig. 1 but because of its double width it will be able to make circuit contact with two adjacent projecta ble rods 45 when these rods are moved forward. This is illustrated in Fig. '7 for the 8 position. As will be explained later and with reference to l., the second, fourth, sixth, eighth, and tenth of the rods 45 are connected in circuit in parallel and when they make contact with the plate 29 will cause the energization of a relay later to be described to shift contacts on said relay so as to prepare the circuits to the printing magnets to print the numbers from 5 to 9 inclusive. Therefore it is to be observed that when the narrow contact 28 moves across in front of the rods 45 in its semi-circle of movement it will cause the printing of any number from l) to 4 and when the broad contact plate 29 moves in its semi-circle of movement across in front of the rods 45 it will enable the numbers 5-9 to be printed. The detailed manner in which this is electrically accomplished will be later described.

According to the form shown in Fig. l it will be observed that there are ten projectable elements or rods 45. In the modication shown in Figs. 8-10 which will now be described, a form is shown which reduces the number of projectable elements to six thus reducing the load on the magnet coil 40. This is in the main achieved by reducing the number of rods 45 but increasing the number of contacts on the disks 24 along one semi-circular portion of their periphery as will be explained. As shown in Fig. 8, the disk 24 is now provided with the contact plate 26 which has the same oppositely disposed contact portions 28 and 29 only in this form these portions are of the same width. Disposed between these contact portions on the right semi-circular portion of the periphery of the disk are a series of contact plates oifset 18 degrees from the plates and 28 and spaced 36 degrees from each other. Together with the plates 28 and 29 these plates 50 are connected to the plate 26 which as stated before is grounded through the totalizer.

From a consideration of Fig. 8 it will therefore be clear that when the parts are in the position shown, the forward projection of the rods 45 will permit the one which represents the 0 printing magnet circuit to contact plate 28. In the next succeeding four positions of the disk the contact 28 will engage the l, 2, 3, and 4 sensing rods as is evident. However, when the plate 28 has traveled'through an arc of 180 degrees from the posie tion shown in Fig. 8, then there will be no rod 45 aandeel opposite it but'there will be .a rod opposite the plate .29, .namely the normally `number sensing rod, since the plateZe will then be in the position now shown .occupied Vby the plate '28. It is also clear that when the plate 29.is in .this .latter position, the Vlewverrnest plate 50, as indicated by the letter A as seenin Fig. 8 will then Vberno-ved upward to a point just 18 degrees to the left .of the vertical. In this positionit will'be able to engage vwith a projectabl'e -r'od 45 which'is nominated Rel inFig. 9 .and 'which .causes the energization of a shift relay to cause the printing of a instead of a zero. It will also be evident thatas the plate .29 is then moved in successive steps clockwise from this position .it will 'be placed in position to contact a projectable number .representing ele- ,mentsA I, 2, 34 and '4 .and at the saine time one of the successive plates et as B, C, Band E will .also be positioned to be contacted by the rod nomi nated Rel just as heretofore inthe case of A, thus causing a shift of the relay in each case and caus- V.ing the printing of the numbers 6, '7, 8, and 9.

In Figs. 8 and 9 it will be seen that I have indicated the position of the projectable rods nominated 0 5, 1 6, 2 7-, 3 8, and 4 9 representing these numbers and printing one or the other of each pair depending upon in which semi-circle of movement the .disk 24 happens Ito be at the time. In other words, during the first 180 the plate 2B contacts the projectable rods 45 from 0 4 whereas in the second 180 the plate 29 contacts the projectable rods 45 from 0 4 while at the same time the plates 5t from A to E respectively contact the projectable member Rel 'to form the necessary double contact to :complete the circuit to print 5 9 inclusive. Y

Referring to the drawings in Fig. 11 which represents a simple basic -circuit involving this 'new sensing device it is to beunderstood that .this cir- Vcuit only shows and relates to those parts .thereof .necessary to be disclosed in 4order that theorder values may be sensed and printed. As shown in the drawings wires are connected lto the Aiixed ends lof the spring reeds 43 .in any suitable manner.. From the reeds le3 representing lnumber 0 5, 1 6, 2 7, 3 8, and 4 9 wires such as 5i 'lead to respective mid-contacts 5?.' 156 `of a shift relay 51. This :relay -5-1 is energized `over `a `circuit irom 'a som-ce of power marked plus through normally 'closed contacts 58 adapted to be opened'momentarily by the escapernent of the carriage from i one `position to another in stepping.; These 'contacts are closed when any given 'totalizer 'order is presented for the sensing of its values. The circuit then vpasses through normally 1closed 'contacts 5B which are .on-ly opened momentarily when the regular full strokemechanism the typewriter is operated'. The vcircuit then passes through the relay 5J, over wire Se to all 'of the reeds. #Bf'marked with an R in 11 indicating that they 'are the relay reeds Aand they are interposed between the number representing reeds as above` mentioned. The circuit is .then` completed through the projected rods which make conta-ct with a Contact plate -on the .disks y2 i` through the totalizer'to the ground Ithere- At the time the .escapernent :and-.full stroke con tacts 58 and 5.9 are closed, which` .is when the carriage bring-s .a totalizer order wheel into .position to engage the master. wheel, the `sensing unit coil lili is Yalso energized over wire 'S1' and this causes all the reeds tov bepulled 'in thus projecting the rods '45 'at the same time. Those that contact plates Von the Vdisk then in position will 'establish `circuits Land those that do not will merely contact with .the insulating material of whichthe disk 24 is formed.

The sensing unit .coil 40 when energized closes a further pair of contacts 15 in the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 11. The upper one of the contacts 15 Yis .connected to ground while the lower is Vconnected to one terminal of the winding of relay R9; Each time the sensing yunit coil 4s is energized, .contacts 7.5 close and operate relay R9 overa circuit from ground at contacts '1.5, circuit is, winding of relay R9, circuits T3 Vand 72, contacts 59 and 5S to the source of potential connected to the latter contacts. When .relay R9 operates, its .contacts B3 close and connect the 'common circuit 'e7 ofthe printing magnets 0 to 9 to the source oi positive potential at contact 58 as will be described with greater detail below.

it is clear that, from what has already been stated, while the disk 24 is in the nrst half of its movement and represents numbers from 0 4 inclusive, when the rods d5 are projected as above, one of these rods representing one of .these num bers wiil contact the plate 28. Let us say the disk is in the 2 position as illustrated in Fig` 6. Then when the lorder 'is moved to the plane of the master wheel and the rods 5 of the sensinghead, the contacts which have opened during the movement are new ciosed 'and the sensing magnet coil lle is energized causing all the rods 45 to move iorward. in this setting only the rod representing the number 2 7 will contact the plate 26 and the following circuit will be established.

From ground at the totalizer, through the contact plate 28 (Fig. 6) on disk 24, rod 45 fin the two position, wire 5i t'o .mid-contact 511 of relay 51. This relay is not .energized since in the rst half circle 'of movement 'ci the disk 2li no rod t5 connected to relay SE1 will be engaged by the Contact Ion the disk 2d.. Hence the circuit will then lead from contact 54 through lower contact rover wire 62 to mid-contact t3 of 'a relay .RVI which is the ordinary regular tens -complement relay shown n the above patent. The circuit then passes normally then over wire Sii to mid-contact 65 of a relay RV which is the usual vnines complement relay, thence over wire te to printing magnet 2, then over wire 6.? throughfcontacts es, closed by relay R9, wire d'9, to .mid-contact lil of rel-'ay 5'! (now deen'ergized) through 4lower contact l l, wire 12 to the contacts randthence to power. It is obvious Vthat a 'similar circuit can be traced for any of the numbers from 0-'4 inclusive.

Naturally if the tota-lv in the machine is negative then in accordance with 'the well' known operation of the Remington Bookkeeper as lset forth in the above mentioned patent, the relays RV and RVI will' operate to change the L'connections lto print -ninesand tens-complements respectively in their proper place and time lin the cycle of operation. A brief consideration of the circuits will show how the 'energization of these .relays will effect these circuit connections without the necessity 'oi 'a detailed description thereof herein.

'Thus far there has been discussed thel circuit operation for printing when the totalizer disks 2'11v are positioned 'in any number representing position from '0 4 inclusive. However when the disks are positioned' 'to represent numbers from 5 9 inclusivey then the disks willvas before no'ted be in the second 'half of' their 'rotation and vthe contact 29 will be 4erfestive to 'contactthe projectable rods in pairs as indicated heretofore. Assuming therefore that a disk is set to represent 'the value '8 vin the 'order associated therewith, with reference to 1AI' ofthe drawings, it willfbe seen thereforethat the Contact 29 will be in a position to engage with the rod 45 marked 3 in Fig. 1 as Well as with the rod 15` immediately above it. Through the rod 3v a circuit will be established to the midi-contact 55 of'the relay 5.1 and through the rod 45 immediately above it acircuit will be established to the wire S to energize relay 5'.' which will then be pulled up and the mid-contact 55 will then be engaged by the upper associated contact 'I6V instead of the lower one and the circuit can then be traced through the Wires to relay RVI- and relay RV to printing magnet S instead of 3 as normally would be the case if the relay 5l were not energized. This same procedure proceeds similarly for the other numbers from 5-9 inclusive.

In regard to the operation of the machine when itis equipped with the form yof disk 24 shown in Figs. 8-10 it will be obvious that in this case the Wire 60 in Fig. 11 will connect with the top reed 3 only, marked R, and whenever a number from 5 -9 inclusive is being sensed there will always be a Contact 5B in line with this rod 45 to cause the energization of the relay 51 when the rods are simultaneously projected by the energization of the sensingl unit magnet when the contacts 53 and 59l are closed as the carriage comes to rest after it has been stepped t0 a new position. It is to be understood that they contacts 68, above referredto, extending from all the printing magnets to the common mid-contact 'l0 on relay 5l are adjusted so as not to close until after the lower contact 'H associated with TB breaks if the relay 51 is to bev energized. This insures that the printing circuit through co-ntacts 68 is not established y at that point until after the relay 5'.' has started to. move so that misprinting can not occur.

Referring to the modied form of the invention shown in Figs. 12 and 13, it is to be observed that the shift relay 5.1 has been eliminated as Well as the relay R-S and associated contacts. In this form the settable disks on the totalizer are provided with two contacts 28 and 29V the latter disposed 198 degrees clockwise around the periphery of the disk from the former.

The projectable sensing rods 45 as seen in Fig. 12 are now connected to the printing magnets through relays RV and RVI without using the shift relay 5l. As noted the rst, third, fifth, seventh, and ninth of these rods leading from the bottom are connected to the printing magnets .representing the values 0, l, 2, 3, and 4- whereas the second, fourth, sixth, eighth, and tenth are connected to the printing magnets representing the values 5, 6, '1, 8, and 9. The contacts 28' and 29 are shown in full lines in the position to sense a zero in the totalizer and in dotted lines to sense an 8 in the totalizer. t is to be remembered that the disk at each step moves 36 degrees and that the rods 45 are spaced 18 degrees apart from each other. Therefore it is clear that as the Contact 28 moves from the zero position by 36 degree steps it will thereafter successively Contact with the 1, 2, 3, and 4 rods. ln the next step beyond the ll rod the contact 2S will move beyond thc rods but at this time the contact 29 Will then be in contact with the 5 rod and as it advances in steps of 36 degrees each it will successively contact the 6, 7, 8, and 9 rods. This form of the invention therefore does away with the need for a shift relay and the relay R9 and associated contacts but at the same time does have to employ all ten of the projectable rods 45.

While I have described what I consider to be highly desirable embodiments of my invention, it

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is obvious that many changes in form could be made wtihout departing from the spirit of my invention, and I, therefore, do not limit myself to the eXact form herein shown and described, nor to anything less than the whole of my invention as hereinbefore set forth, and as hereinafter claimed.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a machine of the class described having a plurality of numerical wheels and associated settable disks to be sensed, the combination of a piuraiity of projectable sensing elements to be moved toward each disk as it is presented for sensing, diametrically disposed contact members on said disks to be disposed according to the value of the setting in the numeral wheels, one of said contact members adapted to engage two adjacent projectable members at one time and he other adapted to engage only one of said projeetable members at a time.

2. In a machine of the class described having a plurality of numerical wheels and associated settable disks to be sensed, the combination of a plurality of projectable sensing elements to be moved toward each disk as it is presented for sensing, diametrically disposed contact members on said to be disposed according to the value of the setting in the numeral wheel, one of said contact members adapted to engage two adjacent projeetable members at one time and the other adapted to engage only one of said projectable members at a time, alternate projectable members being connected to normally closed contacts of a relay, the intermediate projectable members all being vconnected to said relay, said relay in normal condition making connections to one set of numeral magnets and when energized making connections to another set of numeral magnets.

3. In a machine of the class described having a numerical totalizer wheel and an associated settable disk to be sensed, means for moving said wheel and disk into position to be sensed, a plurality of sensing elements disposed adjacent to but out of contact with said disk when it is in said position, and electro-magnetic means actuated by the moving means to project said sensing elements into mechanical and electrical contact with the periphery of said disk.

4. In a machine of the class described having a numerical totalizer wheel and an associated settable'disk to be sensed, means for moving said wheel and disk step by step from one position to another, a plurality of sensing elements disposed adjacent to but out of contact normally with said disk, and electro-magnetic means actuated by the moving means to project said sensing elements into mechanical and electrical contact with disk when it has come to rest in one of said positions.

5. In a machine of the class described having a numerical totalizer wheel and an associated settable disk to be sensed, means for moving said wheel and disk step by step from one position to another, a plurality of sensing elements disposed adjacent to but out of .contact normally with said disk, means actuated by the moving means to project said elements into contact with the disk when it has come to rest in one of said positions, contacts on said disk adapted to engage with said projectable elements, said contacts adapted to engage only one of said elements when the disk is in certain predetermined positions and to engage two of said elements when the disk is in other predetermined positions.

6. In a machine of the class described having a numerical totalizer wheel and an associated settable disk to be sensed, means for moving said wheel and disk step by step from one position to another, a plurality oi sensing elements disposed adjacent to but out of contact normally with said disk, means actuated by said moving means to project said elements into contact with the disk when it has come to rest in one of said positions, a series of printing magnets and a shift relay, alternate projectable elements connected respectively to said printing magnets, and intermediate elements connected to said relay.

7. In a machine of the class described having a numerical totalizer wheel and an associated settable disk to be sensed, means for moving said wheel and disk step by step from one position to another, a plurality of sensing elements disposed f adjacent but out of contact normally with said disk, means actuated by said moving means to project said elements into contact with the disk when it has come to rest in one of said positions,

a series of printing magnets and a shift relay,

alternate projectable elements connected respectively to said printing magnets, and intermediate elements connected to said relay, contacts on said disk adapted to engage said projectable elements, said contacts adapted to engage only one adjacent to but out of contact normally with said disk, means actuated by said moving means to project said elements into contact with the disk when it has come to rest in one of said positions, contacts on said disk adapted to engage said projectable elements, a series of printing magnets and a shift relay, certain of said elements connected respectively to said printing magnets and one of said elements connected to said shift relay, said :contacts adapted to engage only one of the elements connected to a printing magnet when the disk is in certain predetermined positions and adapted to engage said last mentioned element and the element connected to the shift relay simultaneously when the disk is in other predetermined positions.

9. In a machine of the class described a sensing head comprising an arcuate support, a series of radially disposed projectable members on said support, spring means associated with the members to hold them in a retracted position and magnetically operated means common to said members to project said members against the resistance of their springs.

10. In a machine of the class described, a sensing head comprising an electromagnet having concentric arcuate pole pieces, radially disposed projectable contact rods associated with said magnet, resilient reed--like members associated with one of said pole pieces and adapted to be attracted thereto when the magnet is energized; said reed-like members connected to said contact rods to project them when the magnet is energized, and springs on each rod to restore the rods to normal position when the magnet is deenergized.

Eil

11. In a machine of the class described having a numerical totalizer wheel and an associated settable disk to be sensed, means for moving said wheel and disk step by step from one position to another, a plurality of sensing elements disposed adjacent to but out of contact normally with said disk, means actuated by the moving means to project said elements into contact with the disk when it has come to rest in one of said positions, contacts on said disk adapted to engage with said projectable elements, said contacts being separate at the periphery of the disk and interconnected at the center, said contacts adapted to engage only one of said elements when the disk is in certain predetermined positions and to engage two of said elements when the disk is in other predetermined positions.

l2. In a machine of the class described having a totalizer numeral wheel and an associated settable disk to be sensed, said disk being movable through an angle of 360 degrees in being set to represent numbers from 0-9 inclusive, a sensing device comprising a series of projectable rods disposed adjacent and in the plane of the said disk when it is moved to position to be sensed and radially along lines of which the center of the disk is the center, each rod being spaced 18 degrees from the adjacent one, means for stepping the totalizer to bring the disk into sensing position, a magnet for projecting said rods, means operative when the disk is presented in the sensing position and actuated by the stepping means to energize said magnet and project said rods to contact the periphery of the disk, oppositely disposed peripheral contacts on said disk, said contacts being interconnected near the center of the disk, one of said contacts being of a peripheral length sufficient to engage the end of one only of the rods and the other of said contacts being of a peripheral length sufficient to engage the ends of two adjacent rods when projected.

13. In a machine of the class described, a sensing head comprising an electromagnet having concentric arcuate pole pieces, radially disposed projectable Contact rods associated with said magnet, resilient reed-like members associated with one of said pole pieces and adapted to be attracted thereto when the magnet is energized, said reed-like members connected to said contact rods to project them when the magnet is energized, springs on each rod to restore the rod to normal position when the magnet is deenergized, a totalizer having a numeral wheel and an associated settable disk to be sensed by said rods, said disk adapted to be stepped into the plane of movement of said rods for sensing, and oppositely disposed peripheral contacts on said disk adapted to be engaged by the ends of said projected rods, one of said contacts being of a peripheral length sufficient to engage the end of one only of said rods and the other of said contacts being of a peripheral length suicient to engage the ends of two adjacent projected rods, the center of the disk when being sensed coinciding with the center of the circle along the radii of which the rods are disposed.

14. In a machine of the class described having a totalizer numeral wheel and an associated settable disk to be sensed, said disk being movable through an angle of 360 degrees in being set to represent numbers from 0-9 inclusive, a sensing device comprising a series of projectable rods disposed adjacent and in the plane of said disk when it is moved to position to be sensed and radially along lines o f which the center of the disk is the center, eacn rod being spaced 18 degrees from the adjacent one, means for stepping the totalizer to bring the disk into sensing position, a magnet for projecting said rods, and means operative when the disk is presented in the sensing position and actuated by the stepping means to energize said magnet and project said rods to contact the periphery of the disk.

15. In a machine of the class described having a totalizer numeral wheel and an associated settable disk to be sensed, said disk being movable through an angle of 360 degrees in being set to represent numbers from -9 inclusive, a sensing device comprising a series of projectable rods disposed adjacent and in the plane of said disk when it is moved to position to be sensed and radially along lines of which the center of the disk is the center, each rod being spaced 18 degrees from the adjacent one, means for stepping the totalizer to bring the disk into sensing position, a magnet for projecting said rods, means operative when the disk is presented in the sensing position and actuated by the stepping means to energize said magnet and project said rods to Contact the periphery of the disk, oppositely disposed peripheral contacts on said disk, one of said contacts being of a peripheral length sufcient to engage the end of one only of the rods and the other of said contacts being of a peripheral length sufficient to engage the ends of two adjacent rods when projected.

16. In a machine of the class described, a totalizer having a series of numeral wheels and associated settable disks to be sensed, means for stepping the disks one after the other up to and past a sensing position, a sensing device disposed adjacent the totalizer and disposed at the sensing position, means on the sensing device to be projected momentarily to contact each disk as it is brought to rest at the sensing position, and means operated by the stepping means to actuate the projectable means to sense the disk, said projectable means normally being out of contact with the disks except when projected.

17. In a machine of the class described, a totalizer having a series of numeral wheels and associated settable disks to be sensed, means for stepping the disks one after the other up to and past a sensing position, a plurality of sensing elements spaced from the disk but radially disposed with the axis of the disk as a center, means operated by the stepping means to project the sensing elements toward the disk as it is brought to rest in the position to be sensed, said sensing elements being normally out of contact with the disks except when projected, said disk rotatable through 360 degrees to represent ten number values from 0-9; means on the disk to contact only one of the sensing elements when the disk is positioned in any number-representing position from 0-4, and means on the disk to contact with two adjacent sensing elements when the disk is positioned in any number-representing position from -9.

18. In a machine of the class described, a totalizer having a series of numeral wheels and associated settable disks to be sensed, means for stepping the disks one after the other up to and past a sensing position, a plurality of sensing elements spaced from the disk but radially disposed with the axis of the disk as a center, means operated by the stepping means to project the sensing elements toward the disk as it is brought to rest in the sensing position, said sensing elements being normally out of contact with the disks except when projected, said disk rotatable through 360 degrees to represent ten numbers values from 0-9, a series of printing magnets and a relay normally connected to the magnets representing the numbers from 0-4, alternate sensing elements connected to said relay and intermediate alternate sensing elements connected to the contacts oi said relay. a contact on the disk to engage only the elements connected to the contacts of the relay when the disk is positioned in any number-representing position from 0-4, and a second contact on the disk to engage not only the last mentioned elements but also an adjacent element connected to the relay whereby the relay may be shifted to connect the magnets representing the numbers 5-9 with the sensing elements.

19. In a machine of the class described, a totalizer, a settable disk rotatable to positions representing numbers from 0 to 9 in the totalizer, the disk being moved through 36 from one position to the next, a pair of contacts on the periphery of said disk, one of said contacts being disposed 198 clockwise from the other, and all of said contacts being inter-connected toward the center of the disk, a series of projectable sensing rods disposed radially from the center of the disk but normally out of contact with the disk, said rods being disposed angularly 18 from each other, a plurality of printing magnets representing values from 0 to 9, the rst, third, fifth, seventh and ninth rods of the series being connected to the 0, l, 2, 3 and 4 printing magnets, and the second, fourth, sixth, eighth and tenth rods being connected to the 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 printing magnets.

20. In a machine of the class described, a totalizer, a settable disk rotatable to positions representing numbers from 0 to 9 in the totalizer, the disk being moved through 36 degrees from one position to the next, a pair of contacts on the periphery of said disk, one of said contacts being disposed 198 degrees clockwise from the other, a series of projectable sensing rods disposed radially from the center of the disk but normally out oi contact with the disk, said rods being disposed angularly 18 degrees from each other, a plurality of printing magnets representing values from 0 to 9, the rst, third, fifth, seventh, and ninth rods of the series being connected to the 0, l, 2, 3 and 4 printing magnets, and the second, fourth, sixth, eighth, and tenth rods being connected to the 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 printing magnets.

EMIL F. THIERFELDER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,266,660 Bricken May 21, 1918 1,677,897 Lasker July 24, 1928 1,928,656 Von Reppert Oct. 3, 1933 2,063,486 Carroll Dec. 8, 1936 2,155,991 Kurowsky Apr. 25, 1939 2,172,071 Pierce Sept. 5, 1939 2,172,749 Going Sept. 12, 1939 2,253,748 Avery Aug. 26, 1941 2,288,846 Schremp July 7, 1942 2,344,626 Mixer Mar. 21, 1944 2,364,758 Roggenstein Dec. 12, 1944 2,412,537 Roggenstein Dec. 10, 1946 

